Lawyers
successfully
defend Min.
Farrakhan,
Nation of Islam |
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Gender meetings
08/19/1999
Clearly there are times when certain issues need to be addressed that apply only to
men. The same goes for certain issues concerning women. Most men remember
those times in our youth when we had talks with Dad that could only be discussed with Dad, just as many women remember those discussions with Mom that they wouldn't have dreamed of discussing with
Dad. To say that the "Men Only" meetings were sexist is absolutely
ridiculous. The very fact that Minister Farrakhan also conducted "Women Only" meetings destroys the argument of sexism
against women.
The two plaintiffs in the case against Farrakhan and the
Nation of Islam should be ashamed to show their faces around Black people.
They are a disgrace to the race, and this writer would not be the least bit surprised if their
actions were planned just to create a stir. This reader also does not believe it to be coincidence that their lawyer
bears a Jewish name. Shame, shame, shame.
Uzell, II
Memphis, Tn.
On the Men's Only Meeting
08/19/1999
Did I support the men's-only and women's only meetings sponsored by the Nation of Islam? Of course I did! But I am continually amazed by the amnesia that so
thoroughly permeates the minds of Black people in the wake of historical events - which are designed to benefit both them and our following generations.
In Islam, it is a common practice to separate the sexes when teaching, and these meetings (men's only and women's only) were totally in line with Islamic law and tradition - in other words, our religion. It is sad that the Zionists have decided use a misguided Black woman to undermined a beautiful idea launched by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Prior to these "men-only" meetings (in particular) fratricidal violence, violence against women and children and basic delinquency among Black youth was at an all time high. Additionally, by the time of the Million Man March, based on the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's inspired vision, Black men pledged to "clean themselves up" from this self-destructive and anti-family
behavior, and the crime
rate began to fall.
Although the Clinton administration and racist studies linking abortion to a smaller youth (Black and Hispanic) population desire to take the credit for 1990s reduction in crime, the men's only meetings were nevertheless a significant influence on the hearts and minds of Black men across the country as well as a catalyst for change. The misguided Black woman, who filed suit against the Muslims, because of these men's-only meetings, should be ashamed that she would so willfully allow herself to be used by the enemies of Black people to stifle our development into a free and independent people.
Furthermore, those who antagonize our rise as a people, should be shunned everywhere they go, and their "puppet masters" should be exposed as well. Clearly, this misguided Black woman's lawsuit was not only an attack on the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, but also in my opinion, it was a Zionist assault by proxy, on strong Black men, strong Black families, independent Black thinking and the entire religion of Islam in general.
"They recognize the favor of Allah, yet they deny it, and most of them are ungrateful." Holy Qur'an
16:83
William Muhammad
El Paso, TX
Men & Women Only Services
08/19/1999
Often times when large crowds of people get together it tends to become one big dating game. The opposite sex is naturally attracted to one another. Therefore, in order to gain the maximum benefit of any learning session, religious or
otherwise, the men and women should be separated. This method has been proven to be effective in the educational system also. Girls and boys learn more and retain more knowledge when they are free of the pressures of dealing with the opposite sex.
Ramona
Why I supported the meetings
08/19/1999
People are so quick to point out the negatives of our people. Unfortunately,
Black MEN have not gotten a fair chance in this society. Therefore, when a man a light comes to raise the conscienceless of black men - which in turn will benefit society at large that type of movement needs to be supported.
Curtis Bratton
Supporting Men and Women only meetings
08/20/99
What better way is there is to understand and get along with another than to first understand and learn how to get along with self? Meetings with the same sex provide the support and insights which lead to more effective problem solving about interacting with the same as well as the opposite sex. Also, some subjects are
more effectively explored separately. It's not as though those involved will not eventually share their
learning with each other. My husband came home expressing how much he learned and planned to incorporate into our family life. It touched me deeply - especially because of the subsequent efforts he has made to enhance our family life.
Wilhelmina Wright
Grand Rapids, MI
Men's only meetings
08/21/99
I supported It 100%. I am a black man from Brooklyn Ny and was at the Armory for the 1st
men's only meeting. I understood then as I do now that it is time for the black man to unite with one another and clean up himself
in order to clean up his environment/community.
Peace and Blessings,
Purnell A.
Brooklyn, New York
Men Only and Women Only religious services
08/21/99
I would first like to Congratulate the entire legal staff for the Nation of Islam in their latest victory in defending the Nation and I pray for the ones who have felt it necessary to file lawsuits against a nation of people who are struggling in the pursuit of truth, justice and equality.
On the issue of "Men Only" and "Women Only" religious services, I believe that one would first have to ask if these types of services are necessary. One would also have to consider whether or not this method of conducting
religious service has proved beneficial to men and women. I have seen much evidence which shows that these two types of services are both necessary and have benefited men as well as women. Many of our young people, male and female, have found themselves living in a society in which they are brought up in either single parent homes or in government funded institutions, void of a mother or father figure. As a
Muslim and one who has been affiliated with the Jehovah's Witness Organization, I have had the opportunity to speak with many young adults, male and female, on the issue of religion. Many of these young people come from single parent homes or were subjected to living in some type of foster facility. As long as there are young men and women in search for the truth in
religion and who have not had a father figure and/or mother figure in their lives, then there will always be a need for "Men Only" and "Women Only" religious services .
There is also the natural attraction between a man and a woman that needs to be considered. If a religious service was held at a church, mosque or temple, in which both men and women were allowed to attend, this natural attraction between men and women could turn into a serious distraction. One of the strongest desires of the flesh that both men and women constantly battle is that of lust. The last thing that a preacher, teacher or minister wants at a religious service is lusting.
The fact is that if an orator wants to truly get the full attention of men and women, then that orator should separate the two. It is always easier to focus the direction of a speech toward a particular gender when the audience being spoken to is limited to the gender in focus.
This is not to say that men and women should not gather together for religious services. In fact, the gathering of men, women and children for religious services is very much so needed in all of our communities to support the rebuilding of the family structure. Just as these integrated religious services are necessary for the development of strong families and communities, separate religious services are necessary for the development of strong righteous men and women.
Gary Mosley
San Diego,
California
Support of men's only meeting/women's only meeting
08/23/99
I supported the meetings that Minister Farrakhan called for because I
understand his mission.
Brenda Tinsley
Chicago, IL.
Separate Religious Meetings
08/23/99
I support the separate meetings because I understand that there is no disrespect intended. When separate meetings are taking place, it minimizes the risk for distractions -- keeping one's mind focus on the topic/event, and not the sister/brother next to you. In viewing this any different, in my opinion, means that either a person is ignorant and/or trying to cause problems, using these new laws,
mythologies, definitions, perceptions, etc. to justify one's doing. When someone perceives these
separate meetings as a disrespect, then that individual simply needs enlightenment, or to be taught a new perspective.
Jessica Galimore Muhammad
Westchester County, New York
Separate Meetings
08/23/99
I believe their certain issues that need to be addressed to the individual genders, and what easier way than to
separate the meetings. Other churches do the same thing, so why thy big deal when the NOI does it. If you
condemn one, condemn all.
Atoine Herelle
North Carolina
Why a "Yes" Vote from Me
08/24/99
Our communities will not prosper without leadership from the men who live therein. An alarming percentage of Black men have lost their way and it has
been proven and shown time after time, that the Muslim religion will guide and lead our men to a positive and productive end. First of all,
Muslims look at themselves and make an identity like that of Allah (God) which is
good and very good. It teaches men how to be an acceptable head of household. This, I feel, is one
of the reasons many Black women are single and will not allow relationships.
Men who will not stand and make good decisions for his
family is not worth the anxiety of women who are constantly under the stress of being "head of
household." I would gladly and willingly submit to a husbandman who will
take the stand ...and as for me and my house, we will follow Allah (God).
I think it is so terrible for a man to hide behind the woman of
the house in the face of adversities. She is his help--not the head!
So, there is a true need for MEN to gather and strengthen, educate and put
into real-life situations, the lessons that Allah (God) teaches. It will not only give guidance to the man, it will produce wholesome families, which
in turn, will produce wholesome communities and leaders.
Much love and peace.
Susie Williams
Florida
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